Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

[Guest]

Hopefully this is the correct forum for this question since I would assume it will be an easy question for someone to answer if they have a bit more relevant knowledge than me;

I'm knowledgeable on MSoft (MCSE since NT4 days) and used to do a bit with Solaris but I'd still consider myself a definite newby with Linux. I've been playing with Ubuntu on a laptop for a few months and Ubuntu and Kubuntu in virtual machines. I was considering wiping XP tablet edition off an old tablet I have (P3-866mhz, 512mb ram, 20gb drive, Intel extreme graphics ) and putting some flavour of Linux on it.

Given that I have to be able to install from a USB pen drive (no CD in the tablet) and to be usable it has to have a virtual keyboard once it's installed, I can put a USB keyboard on for the installation, any recommendations between Kubuntu and Ubuntu or is there something better out there? Assuming I go with Kubuntu, anyone point out obvious pitfalls to avoid and any recommendations on getting a virtual keyboard?

[Ole Juul]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

I generally use Kubuntu, but I have made a lot of installations on low resource machines. Given that KDE is a big system that does it all, I think you're not going to be happy with only 512MB ram. That is about the minimum for most Linux distros these days. You can go lower, but it will not be impressive. I'm sure Kubuntu will run, but why not make a machine that is a bit more snappy? So in that vein, you could either chose a distribution like Vector Linux which specialises in running a full office system on your generation of hardware, or do what I've done several times - Ubuntu with a different desktop system. There are several choices.

My suggestion is download the Ubuntu Server. That will give you a basic Ubuntu system with a nice command line. You can then install the desktop of your choice from the Ubuntu repositories. I suggest fluxbox because it is the one with the lowest requirements.

On the command line of your new basic system, type "sudo apt-get install fluxbox" and it will be yours. When it is up, you right-click on the desktop to bring up a menu. It will run all your regular Ubuntu and Kubuntu apps but won't have all the overhead. Install and uninstall using apt-get or whatever your favourite gui based package manager is. My partner is older (like me), has been used to KDE and needs a fully functional desktop computer, and she has completely taken to the fluxbox environment in a matter of hours. (just a little endorsement ) It's been almost two weeks now and I haven't heard any complaints - so it obviously does whatever she was doing in KDE.

I have never used a virtual keyboard, but I see there are three VK programs in the repositories so you're in luck there.

PS: upon installation of Ubuntu Server, you will be asked what servers you want. Just don't chose any of them.

PSS: Linux generally runs well on slower computers, but needs quite a bit of memory for comfort.

PSSS: As in all computer matters, perhaps you should also get a 2nd opinion. Particularly because I haven't tried installing from USB. However, once you get a network connection, the rest can come off the net.

[mimosh]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

Why choose Ubuntu Server when you can choose Ubuntu-alternate-CD.

If you have to boot from USB use this program http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
It have a drop-down box to choose a distribution and another drop-down box to choose a version.

In my opinion try as much distros as you can (or have time to try )

[dibl]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

I'll throw in two cents' worth, based on a bit of distro-hopping that I did a few years back, when trying to figure out which Linux would best serve my needs. With a long list of distro choices, the only real issue is "What is most attractive to you?". I'll list the ones that I've had personal experience with, and my impression. There are only a few, out of the hundreds of distributions available:


- Stability -- Mepis. I played with Fedora Core too, but it seems laggy, in comparison to Debian-based distros. Also, the Debian package management system seems far superior to the YUM/RPM system. YMMV

- Bleedy Edge -- sidux. It's still my #1 OS, even though it occasionally bites me. It's pure Debian, but with some added capabilities, and an excellent online manual to help the user configure it and cope with the continuous turnover of new package entries into Sid.

- Less Bleedy Edge -- Kubuntu. Ubuntu is fine too, but I like KDE better than Gnome, after using them both fairly extensively.

- Build-It-Yourself kit -- Arch (an outstanding user forum, BTW -- almost as nice as this one )

- Different and Pretty -- E-Live

- For dog-slow ancient hardware -- slax

- For the USB stick -- (1) sidux/KDE4 for demonstration (impress the girls ), and (2) Parted Magic, to do partitioning tasks and to diagnose & help fix PCs with alleged hard drive issues


Hope that gives you some things to consider.

[wizard10000]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

I used to be a diehard GNOME user but switched to kde probably a year ago.

Kubuntu will work fine on older hardware but it may take a little tweaking to get it where you want it to be. I'm currently running kde 4.5RC2 but when I was running kde 4.4 two weeks ago on my netbook I had the thing pared down to where it only used ~150mb of RAM at idle by eliminating unnecessary services and swapping kwin for compiz. If you don't need desktop effects you can pare it down even more than that.

Compared to "lightweight" distributions like xfce or lxde my kde installation had a memory footprint that was maybe 25mb bigger but had one hell of a lot more functionality.

BTW, I'm also an NT4 MCSE but since I work for Your Federal Government there's no incentive for me to upgrade that skill set, especially since I'm in charge of desktop PC support for the agency where I work. No need to take any more tests yet

[Guest]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

I've downloaded the windows version of unetbootin to see what I can get to run on the tablet from the list there. Thing is I only use the tablet to go on line, read pdfs etc. so not sure what I'll end up sticking with (the lack of a keyboard makes it ideal for reading stuff in bed and with it being a P3 it warms up nicely too, great for the winter ). I thought of kubuntu to complement the laptop with ubuntu until I decide if I prefer gnome or kde so I think I'll give it a go first.

BTW Wizard10000, thankfully not my federal government though when Blair was PM here that was debatable :-). Just wait until you have to update to MCITP, it's fun - NOT!!!

[GreyGeek]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

Hi Bill!

On a machine like that I often recommend Puppy Linux.

It runs in RAM, is all binary, and is fast as lightening, even on under powered boxes.

But, this forum is still a nice place to make your Linux "Home"! 8)

[Ole Juul]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

Why choose Ubuntu Server when you can choose Ubuntu-alternate-CD.

I don't want to waylay this thread too much, but that is a good point mimosh. I would have thought the same, but I have not been able to install the base system from the alternate CD. I've tried a number of times. Whatever you're supposed to click completely eludes me, but then I tend to use the command line a lot so these GUI installers are difficult for me to figure out. Anyway, that's why I use the server edition - it's easy to install. Someone with better GUI skills should probably use the alternate if they can figure it out.

[dibl]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

I have not been able to install the base system from the alternate CD. I've tried a number of times. Whatever you're supposed to click completely eludes me

I haven't installed Kubuntu since I installed 10.04 in March or April, which for old guys like us is a decade ago

However, I always use the Alternate Install CD. Probably you should just put your mouse in a drawer and use the keyboard

Seriously, I do believe it is a keyboard-navigated script - it is not the Ubiquity GUI that comes on the Live CD (which is a good thing IMHO). You use the Tab key to move the highlighted items, and Enter to execute the item, and maybe the spacebar once in awhile. That's basically it -- very, very simple, for us simple old guys.

[Ole Juul]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

Seriously, I do believe it is a keyboard-navigated script - it is not the Ubiquity GUI that comes on the Live CD (which is a good thing IMHO). You use the Tab key to move the highlighted items, and Enter to execute the item, and maybe the spacebar once in awhile. That's basically it -- very, very simple, for us simple old guys.

Sorry, I was mistaken. It was a few months back and I just remember not being able to find how to install a base system so I could add a GUI later. It was my generally curmudgeony attitude to GUIs that made me call it that a GUI even if it wasn't. That said; I still couldn't figure out the right choice. Now that you tell me it's possible, I'll persevere next time I need it.

[googeek]

Re: Kubuntu, Ubuntu or other?

Well, uhm.... In my opinion for a machine like that you need to be looking at Xubuntu or Puppy. I would lean towards Puppy. I mean, you can't beat a 50MB OS, can you? It runs on basically nothing and you can even run it in ram straight off a USB, no install required. I use Puppy for everything ancient I can't use Kubuntu on. Xubuntu is also an option, but with that little ram and HD space I would suggest something much less intensive.